CATHYG7
An attitude of being ready is a huge success! I am using SP's trackers as well. I have a FitBit which is an amazing little "smart pedometer" yet affordable. It tracks steps, stairs, sleep, activity, miles, etc. Then you go to their free website where the info is downloaded and get tons of cool stats including a place to track your nutrition. I am just using the SP tracker since I joined SP coach. I find that having "go to" foods really helps. So any time you feel that emotional urge to eat, have a healthy choice or several available to you. I coupon, shop the weekly ads at the stores and buy a lot of lean, green clean foods...that means foods that aren't processed, they are fresh, or raw or without additives and preservatives. I shop at a local grocery and at whole foods which has some really good deals on fresh veggies. My daughter has a GI disorder and I can't eat wheat or corn or processed foods so both of us are restricted. My other daughter who is 8 has the ADHD and diet has a huge impact on her. She has a racing heart, and gets migraines as well. Keeping her on a restricted diet really helps with her ADHD symptoms as well...no processed foods or foods with additives or red dye. I just cute back our food budget so we shall see how that goes. I fill up on things like bananas, raw nuts and fruit, veggies, healthy yogurt, etc. Lowfat cottage cheese is decent too. I measure and weigh everything. I have found that all of this takes time, but never too much that I can't do it. And we are worth it! It really makes a difference in the way you feel. More energy, less brain fog!! We will do this!! Hugs, Cathy2040 days ago

CATHYG7
Hi! Thanks for adding me as a friend! You DO have your hands full, but being one that has experience in that area, I know you can do this! I started at around 212 and lost 45 pounds (started SP in 2007) Being a little older than you and going through that change along with have 4 of my 5 kids with special abilities (Aspergers, ADHD, ADD, Sensory, LD, Dyslexia, etc!) I've had a really hard time getting past a plateau for a couple of years. Stress just doesn't help either. I really hit the wall after my last was born 7 years ago and then had emergency gall bladder surgery when she was 10 weeks old. We can do this! I still have 45 pounds to go and it is a slow crawl. You know what hard work is being an ex-marine. So losing weight is the same, it will be familiar to you! If there is any way I can specifically help you, let me know. I have a never quit, keep trying, no excuses attitude. Welcome to Spark and I look forward to sharing this healthy lifestyle journey with you! Cathy2040 days ago